Value

I had a chance to shop a little in New York with my daughter in law, Rebecka and my precious grand baby Emma. I love discount stores, as many of you who know me know. And Filene's Basement has been one of my favorite New York adventures for years. But much to my dismay, they are going our of business, and Rebecka, knowing my delight, said no worries. I have a new place that I think you will like, she said, it is Century 21, and they have just recently opened a new department store in Lincoln Square. So off we went.

We muddled around and looked around and even were escorted by helpful staff to a private employee bathroom for use of a changing table for Emma. The store was beautiful, clean, organized, uncluttered, and filled with tempting racks of goods. And on one of them was a vest that caught Rebecka's eye. She checked it out and then shook her head and said something like the price does not reflect the value. Now mind you, she has worked for a high end designer in New York for several years and knows the value of the pieces she marketed and has a well trained eye for style, quality, detail and handiwork. And when she shops, as I watched, she is very methodical about her decisions. But, forget the vest, I am such a "words" nut that when the word "value" came up, I had to ask for further explanation. She just said it isn't worth even the discounted price, the value just isn't there. I loved that explanation. And one I will remember for quite some time in my shopping endeavors. Examine the value! Is it worth the asking price?

Value is a relative term for many and is based on our priorities and what we have adopted from learned lessons and have incorporated into our stream of consciousness. Our values are a reflection of what makes up our character. Our personal values provide an internal reference for what is good, beneficial, important, useful, beautiful, desirable, constructive etc They are the basis for what generates our behavior and our decisions. What may be of value to one person is not necessarily valuable to another. Our values are based on the relative worth, merit or importance in comparison to other things in our life. Which makes me ask the question: what is it that I value? And what merit or importance or relative worth do I put on things that just aren't "worth" it?

I just think about some of the things that I stew (I love that word, it is so descriptive) over, that have no real value. Some are over things that I regret that I cannot take back or redo, other things are over insignificant worries that may never even surface, or sometimes I even try out think or over think a situation that I really do not even have any control over. It is not only wasted time but valued time misspent. If I would only take time, the way Rebecka contemplated the value of that vest, to set out to contemplate a situation with regard to God's measure and not mine, I probably could be a much better communicator, a more understanding friend, a more conscious consumer and maintain a healthier mindset of God's positive persuasion. But I get in a hurry, and lack the patience that it takes to make a wise and thoughtful assessment of what is regarded as worthy and what is not! This mindset is entangled into thoughts of anything from shopping to skillfully embracing God's truth.

I researched the word "value" in the bible and came up with several verses:

Value regarding treasures: Proverbs 10:2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
Value regarding conversation: Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
Value regarding truth: Proverbs 16:13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
Value regarding others: Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Value regarding Godliness: 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come
Value regarding false teachers: 2 Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

We are called, as God's children to examine the value....of everything, our busyness, our conversations, our purchases, our contributions, our relationships, our time etc. And then ask ourselves questions: Is what we are doing a worthy venture? Does it merit the time spent? Are our values reflected in decisions? Have we examined and reflected on what value God has put on us and what value his purposes, be they adversity or blessing, have on the building of our character and the road to our ultimate salvation?

Value, it is a measured yet obscure term which relates to what it is that we hold worthy. In all the challenges of the daily grind, the defeats and victories of life itself, if God is who.. and his standards are what... we value the most, and hold dear, then we are set to embark on his wisdom, be saturated with his strength, overcome by his grace, and in a position to share the wealth of his love one to another.

She didn't get the vest oh but the leopard jacket she chose was darling...and is now her official Texas coat! Hope she comes often and wears it!

Dear Lord, Help me to take time to "evaluate the value" of people, places and purposes that bring you glory.

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!